Primary results of long‐term outcomes in the MOMENTUM 3 pivotal trial and continued access protocol study phase: a study of 2200 HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device implants

Aim The MOMENTUM 3 pivotal trial established superiority of the HeartMate 3 (HM3) left ventricular assist device (LVAD), a fully magnetically levitated centrifugal‐flow pump, over the HeartMate II axial‐flow pump. We now evaluate HM3 LVAD outcomes in a single‐arm prospective continuous access protocol (CAP) post‐pivotal trial study. Methods and results We enrolled 2200 HM3 implanted patients (515 pivotal trial and 1685 CAP patients) and compared outcomes including survival free of disabling stroke or reoperation to replace or remove a malfunctioning device (primary composite endpoint), overall survival and major adverse events at 2 years. The 2‐year primary endpoint [76.7% vs. 74.8%; adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.71–1.08, P = 0.21] and overall survival (81.2% vs. 79.0%) were similar among CAP and pivotal cohorts despite sicker patients (more intra‐aortic balloon pump use and INTERMACS profile 1) in CAP who were more often intended for destination therapy. Survival was similar between the CAP and pivotal trial in transplant ineligible patients (79.1% vs. 76.7%; adjusted HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.68–1.16, P = 0.38). In a pooled analysis, the 2‐year primary endpoint was similar between INTERMACS profiles 1–2 (‘unstable’ advanced heart failure), profile 3 (‘stable’ on inotropic therapy), and profiles 4–7 (‘stable’ ambulatory advanced heart failure) (75.7% vs. 77.6% vs. 72.9%, respectively). The net burden of adverse events was lower in CAP (adjusted rate ratio 0.93, 95% CI 0.88–0.98, P = 0.006), with consequent decrease in hospitalization. Conclusions The primary results of accumulating HM3 LVAD experience suggest a lower adverse event burden and similar survival compared to the pivotal MOMENTUM 3 trial. Accumulating post‐pivotal trial experience with the HeartMate 3 (HM3) left ventricular assist device (LVAD) suggests a lower adverse event burden, reduced hospitalizations and similar survival free of disabling stroke or reoperation to replace or remove a malfunctioning pump as compared to the pivotal MOMENTUM 3 trial outcomes at 2 years. These beneficial outcomes were noted across the continuum of clinical severity in advanced heart failure and especially among transplant ineligible patients in whom outcomes may now compare favourably with those in transplant eligible patients at 2 years.